Deadly Legionnaires' outbreak at Atlanta hotel is the largest on record in Georgia

One person died of the disease and 11 others were diagnosed with it after staying at the Sheraton Atlanta, said Nancy Nydam, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Public Health.

The number of probable cases has risen to 63, Nydam said. Probable cases are those who have symptoms of the disease but have not yet had a laboratory test to confirm it.

The cases involve people who stayed at or visited the downtown hotel between June 12 and July 15, Nydam said.

The hotel closed July 16 and said it will remain shut until at least August 14, general manager Ken Peduzzi said in a statement Friday.

One person has died of Legionnaires' disease after staying at an Atlanta hotel

"During our closure, we have been working closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health, Fulton County Board of Health and environmental experts to conduct testing to ensure there is no threat of Legionella infection," Peduzzi wrote. "A thorough cleaning of the hotel's entire water distribution system has been completed as a precautionary measure, including cleaning, scrubbing and chlorination of all water features."

He said the hotel is awaiting more test results before announcing a reopening date.

Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which are naturally found in the environment, usually in fresh water, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The bacteria can grow in warm water and can be found in shower heads and faucets, hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, decorative fountains or plumbing systems in large buildings.

Legionnaires' disease is treated with antibiotics, and most people who get sick make a full recovery, according to the state health department. However, people at an increased risk of illness tend to be 50 or older, current or former smokers, people with chronic lung disease or weak immune systems.

About one in 10 people with Legionnaires' disease dies, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 7,500 US cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported to the CDC in 2017, the agency said, adding that it's likely an underestimate because the illness is underdiagnosed.

Let's block ads! (Why?)